Sean Bakeris one of the most original and exciting voices in cinema right now, but some of his movies stand out more than others.Baker, who’s finally been Oscar-nominated for Best Director, has become renowned for his sympathetic depiction of sex workers. From the titular escort inAnorato the retired porn star inRed Rocket, his characters break free of the usual archetypes that confine the portrayal of sex workers in the media and present poignant portraits of three-dimensional human beings.
Baker’s movies don’t follow traditional plots with inciting incidents and external conflicts; they’re character studies digging deep into the complex psyches of flawed people, many of them dealing with sex workers in a sympathetic and humanizing way. With their loose storytelling and naturalistic dialogue,Baker’s movies capture real life a lot more effectively than most of his peers. FromTangerinetoThe Florida Project, Baker has directed some truly great movies throughout his career.
Baker’s debut feature introduced his unique comic sensibility and his ear for naturalistic dialogue, but all his subsequent films would be even better.Four Letter Wordsis an authentic look atthe lives of disillusioned young men living in American suburbia, butit’s not particularly original; this kind of thing has been seen in plenty of other movies.
It feels more like Baker trying to make something akin to filmmakers like Richard Linklater and Kevin Smith rather than something that feels his own.
There are certain stylistic choices and the immersive “cinema verite” style Baker became known for to be found along with his sense of humor underlying the story. However, it feels likea subject matter and characters that Baker isn’t wholly invested incompared to his later movies. It feels more like Baker trying to make something akin tofilmmakers like Richard Linklaterand Kevin Smith rather than something that feels his own. Baker ultimately found his niche and pioneered a more idiosyncratic voice in his later films.
Baker began his cinematic exploration of sex work inStarlet.Starletdepicts the unlikely friendship that blossoms between 21-year-old adult film star Jane and 85-year-old widow Sadie after Jane finds a stash of cash in a vase sold by Sadie at her yard sale. Dree Hemingway gives a staggering performance in the lead role and shares delightful on-screen chemistry with Besedka Johnson that really sells the film’s central relationship.
Starletis the perfect pairing of story and setting; it deftly contrasts genuine human connection with the fake intimacy of pornography. Coming out to solid reviews before Baker really broke out in the indie scene,Starletfeels likeBaker is really starting to develop his voice and style, albeit inside of a more conventional story. It is not a groundbreaking movie, but mixes humor and heart in a satisfying way.
Prince of Broadwayrevolves around a New York hustler whose life is upended when his ex shows up with a son he never knew he had. Baker’s movies have always been quite good at capturing a specific feeling of a place and Baker is able to perfectly capture the chaos on the streets of New York here. It is also a beautiful and heartfelt story of a father stepping up to face his responsibilities.
Anora Director Sean Baker Officially Breaks A Hollywood Record At The Oscars
After producing, writing, directing, and editing the Oscar-winning Anora, Sean Baker has set an incredible new record at the Academy Awards.
Despite what the premise might suggest,Prince of Broadwaymakes it clear that Baker is not a filmmaker who is willing to rely on easy clichésto tell a story. It is a fascinating modern exploration of parenting that is not covered in many movies. Though not really the fault of the film, the low budget means that it is not as visually interesting or boldly made as Baker’s movies that followed.
As Baker’s reputation in the movie industry started to grow and he became known as an indie filmmaker who could capture the human experience, he seemed ready to remind audiences that he was also a very funny artist withRed Rocket.Baker’s tale of a retired adult film starreturning to mend the burned bridges in his hometown is one of his funniest movies. Simon Rex gives a great performance in the lead role, leaning hilariously into the character’s most unlikable qualities for a brutally honest portrayal of a washed-up porn star.
In the wake of Baker’s growing profile, the more straightforward comedic elements ofRed Rocketwere somewhat of a letdown. While certainly a funny movie,it lacked the depth or heart that has become expectedin Baker’s work. However, it is a hilarious ride with a deeply flawed protagonist. Many people might not be on board with the character, but Rex’s performance makes it fascinating to follow him.
Baker’s plot-light, character-heavy focus on slice-of-life stories began with his second feature,Take Out.Take Outis a social-realist drama following a Chinese restaurant’s delivery manas he drops off food around an Upper Manhattan neighborhood.Take Outalso established Baker’s penchant for contrasting different sides of the class divide. The harsh realities of Ming’s working-class life are juxtaposed with the luxuries of the affluent people he serves food to.
Take Outhas a 100% rating onRotten Tomatoes.
Take Outportrays the immigrant experience more accurately and honestly than most of Hollywood’s attempts at representation. The movie was Baker’s first to be co-directed by someone else, as he shared the duties with frequent collaborator Shih-Ching Tsou. While this gives the movie a distinct feel, more documentary-like than even his other movies, there are still touches that remind you this is a Sean Baker movie.
Tangerinechanged LGBTQ+ cinema foreverwithits compassionate portrayal of transgender characters. Set on Christmas Eve,Tangerinefollows a sex worker’s attempts to track down her boyfriend and pimp after learning that he’s having an affair. Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor give magnificent performances in this intoxicating day-in-the-life comedy. For a movie shot on iPhones,Tangerineis visually stunning — and the use of handheld cell phones gave the cinematography a zippy, energetic feel.
The film helped to launch Baker as a new indie movie darlingas it served as a reminder of how kinetic and exciting a movie can be regardless of the budget or the filmmaking equipment on hand. However, the movie also slows down for some quieter moments that are just as impactful and show the heart Baker maintains in all of his projects.Tangerinewas nominated for four awards at the Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature and Best Director.
While still very much an indie movie, this is the one that has really launched Baker’s name as one Hollywood needs to be paying attention to.Anorais really two movies rolled into one, and they’re both great. The first half is a screwball romantic comedy about an escort impulsively marrying a rich Russian oligarch’s son, then the second half is a Coen brothers-style crime caper about the city-wide search for the oligarch’s son when he flees the scene.
Every Award Anora Has Won
Anora is a significant awards season performer, racking up wins from various festivals, ceremonies, and critics groups ahead of the Oscars.
The first half sweeps the audience up in a whirlwind romance, then the second half delivers all the belly laughs of a classic farce.The ending ofAnoracompletes Ani’s tragic journey with a sobering snap back to reality. It makes for the kind of movie Baker feels like he has been building to for years. Likewise, it also feels like the one that connected with audiences the most, leading to itshistoric Oscar victory, winning five Oscars. Baker himself went home with four for the movie, a first in Oscar history.
WhileAnorais Baker’s most famous movie, many feel thathis true masterpiece isThe Florida Project.The Florida Projectsatirically contrasts the impoverished residents of a motel with the hub of glorified consumerism — the supposed “Happiest Place on Earth” — right across the street. It’s a modern-day reimagining ofThe Little Rascalsthat views financial hardships through the innocent eyes of a child.
It is funny and poignant, but can also be heartbreaking at times. It all feels authentic thanks to the natural performances by non-actors.
Brooklynn Kimberly Prince’s incredible performance perfectly captures the joys of childhood, andThe Florida Projectbuilds to a truly touching final scene that brings the whole thing full circle. Not quite a coming-of-age story,it is more a look at the reality of the American Dream through the eyes of a child. It is funny and poignant, but can also be heartbreaking at times. It all feels authentic thanks to the natural performances by non-actors. And yet Willem Dafoe gives a brilliant Oscar-nominated supporting performance that ties it all together.
What’s Next For Sean Baker?
Given his history-making win at the Oscars withAnora, it makes sense that there are plenty of people wondering what Sean Baker’s next movie will be. While the filmmaker does have a new project already lined up, it is not one in which he will be in the director’s chair. Instead,Baker will serve as editor and co-writer ofLeft-Handed Girlwhich will be directed by Baker’s frequent collaborator Shih-Ching Tsou. The movie follows a single mother and her two daughters who open a stand in a night market in Taipei.
As for Baker’s next directorial effort, that wait could be longer. In terms of his other movies, Baker has typically taken between two and four years in between projects. WithAnorajust coming out and no word on anything in production at the moment, it seems like 2027 is the earliest fans could expect anything. However,Baker did confirm there are ideas for a new movieand it would once again involve a sex worker (viaVariety).
